Sampa: Alan Kyerematen, leader and presidential candidate of the Afrafranto Movement, has vowed to address the infrastructural challenges plaguing Ghana, particularly focusing on the country’s deteriorating road network and unreliable internet connectivity.
According to Ghana News Agency, Kyerematen experienced firsthand the poor state of Ghana’s roads during his campaign tour in Sampa, a town in the Bono Region. He expressed his dismay about the country’s infrastructure, noting the need for urgent intervention. The statement from Accra highlighted that Ghana’s road network spans over 94,203 kilometers, with a $12 billion requirement to address maintenance backlogs and road paving. However, the government can only meet 38% of this financial need, leaving a significant portion of roads in disrepair, especially in rural areas.
Kyerematen proposed his Great Transformational Plan (GTP) as a solution to this crisis, emphasizing the importance of innovative financing and private-sector participation over reliance
on borrowing. His plan includes private-sector involvement through models like Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) and Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing (EPCF), alongside a revamped road tolling system to ensure investor returns and infrastructure quality.
Furthermore, Kyerematen’s plan aims to empower local contractors by offering medium-to-long-term financing for two contractors in every district, enabling them to maintain urban and feeder roads. Infrastructure bonds will fund high-income-generating projects, while the Ghana Road Fund will focus on non-viable rural roads.
Addressing internet infrastructure, Kyerematen emphasized the need for reliable connectivity, particularly in communities like Sampa. His vision includes establishing 100,000 internet hotspots nationwide to provide equitable access to satellite connectivity.
Kyerematen’s GTP prioritizes balanced development between rural and urban areas, proposing partnerships with foreign entities and support for research institutions to d
evelop innovative solutions using local materials. The expected impact of these policies includes improved road efficiency, uninterrupted online education, and a thriving digital business environment.
Kyerematen’s plan represents a shift from traditional borrowing, advocating for government and private sector collaboration. He stressed the importance of decisive action to ensure all parts of Ghana benefit from world-class infrastructure, offering a roadmap to a future marked by improved roads and seamless connectivity. As his campaign progresses, Kyerematen’s commitment to addressing Ghana’s infrastructure challenges continues to resonate with communities seeking change.
